Aspire Pay In London Heathrow Lounge
NEWS: The new Pay in Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 5 is now open. The new Aspire lounge at Terminal 5 is the first pay-for entry lounge at Terminal 5, and as such it is the first chance BA passengers in economy have to pay for a lounge....full story
The new Aspire lounge at Terminal 5 is the first pay-for entry lounge at Terminal 5, and as such it is the first chance BA passengers in economy have to pay for a lounge.
It has comfortable seating and complementary snacks and drinks. A large part of the lounge is occupied by the spa, which almost seems to be half the reason for the lounge to be here.
It is large, light, bright, and open, with the entrance at the south end of the terminal, past the BA lounge escalators, and to the left. Initially past the reception desk the lounge seems to be small, with just small 1+1 seating on the right, but then the lounge opens up into the main room, with comfortable seating and complementary snacks and drinks.
There are two main areas of large armchairs, and tables high up between them, then at the 'corner' of the lounge, a large semi-circular snug area, with a commanding view out over the active runway and towards London.
Along from here is a long bench, with eight seats opposite, and opposite the main dining area with four more tables under the departure screens.
There are also six comfortable 'rest pods' with a recliner, and a shelf next to a power socket (UK square pin only) which is at just the right height to charge your phone while you nap. The pods are directly opposite the vast floor to ceiling windows, but thankfully there is a blackout curtain which cuts out most of the light.
The new Aspire lounge occupies a small space which was previously the access corridor to the British Airways First Class lounge fire escape, a staircase which still occupies a dominant location right in the middle of the lounge. Indeed, the Aspire T5 lounge can at times seem like a small corridor, with only room for about 80 passengers.
Further around past the fire escape stairs there is a bench and chairs, and this often the quietest part of the lounge.
Food
Food is on the hotplate and fridge just around the corner from the bar.
At breakfast times before 11am there is cereal and bacon rolls, plus scrambled egg and croissants.
In the fridge are yoghurts and cheeses. After 11am some food is free, with sandwiches, Pork Pies, Scotch Eggs, and cake. There is also a cheese board, and a fridge with salad.
For larger food items you have to pay, with £7 for a Steak & Guinness Pie or £10 for Mushroom Risotto.
Bar
There is a small bar which is at its most convenient walk up point. It's not self-serve, but there is usually a barman in attendance.
For complementary beer there is Moretti lager is on draft, and London Pride and Tiger available in bottles, plus Guinness in cans.
Wine and spirits are mostly complementary, including Prosecco but some premium items need to be paid for, including some of the better wine: the list on offer is quite comprehensive and much better than you normally get at a pay-in lounge.
Cocktails are £6. Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut Champagne comes in at £35. The range of spirits is really quite impressive for a lounge, with everything from Baileys to Bacardi.
Bathrooms
Very definitely in the lounge - and are great.
Showers cost £20 for 30 minutes, and spa facilities are £20 for 20 minutes, £40 for 40 minutes.
There is a comprehensive selection of spa treatments, and indeed, as the spa occupies a large footprint of the lounge, to a large extent this may be the central reason for a visit.
Business Facilities
There is free Wifi, and most of the daily UK newspapers on a trolley by the door.
There are fourteen work benches and tables, just further around from the bar, and each with a power socket for charging laptops and tablets, but no computers or printers you can use.
Access
For a daypass to the London Terminal 5 lounge, the cost is £40 a visit, or £30 per child (2 to 17 years).
The new "Aspire, the Lounge and Spa" is located at Terminal 5 near Gate 18 and is available to anyone passing through British Airways' hub terminal, regardless of their class of travel.
Up until now, the only lounges at Terminal 5 were for British Airways, and there was no access for economy passengers who wished to pay for entry.
You can access with Priority Pass or Aspire's own membership scheme, which costs £260 a year.
There is a smart casual dress code. Baseball caps, football, rugby and vest style tops are, as you would expect, forbidden.
Video: Aspire Lounge T5
| Aspire Lounge T5 | ||
|---|---|---|
Loungeindex
rating:
4 out of
10
| ||
| Location: | Terminal 5, airside, south end, turn left | |
| Open hours: | 0500-2300 | |
| Pay Per Access: | £40 GBP | |
| Lounge for: | ||
| Access: | Priority Pass | |